OpenSecrets Blog PolitiQuizz: Which Oil and Gas Company is the Biggest Lobbying Spender?

This has been a turbulent year for the oil and gas industry after April’s BP Gulf oil spill, but oil and gas companies are continuing to flex their political muscle in Washington, as OpenSecrets Blog reported earlier this year in the Fueling Washington series.

Through the first three quarters of 2010, the oil and gas industry is the No. 6 biggest industry when it comes to lobbying expenditures, with 178 different clients lobbying on behalf of the industry. But now we want to know…

Which oil and gas industry titan has spent the most on federal-level lobbying so far during 2010?

The first person leave the correct answer in this blog post’s comments section will win a free copy of The Blue Pages: Second Edition, the new money-in-politics book for which the Center for Responsive Politics provides data and analysis.

Answers will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday. Results will be posted as part of next Monday’s PolitiQuizz. (Make sure to provide your e-mail address so we may contact you if you win!)

Who is the single wealthiest member of Congress, and how much is he or she worth?

Respondents were quick to offer a few multi-millionaire members of Congress, including Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kent.). However, given that our question last week did not clarify whether we were seeking the lawmaker with the highest minimum net worth or the highest average net worth, there are two possible answers:

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), who, on average, is estimated to be worth $303.5 million

Kerry’s money mostly comes from family ties, since his mother was part of the Forbes shipping family and his wife, Teresa Heinz, a member of the Heinz ketchup and food empire. For his part, Issa has reaped the rewards of technology, earning millions from a vehicle security company he started in 1982 called Directed Electronics.

Congrats, “Mybluemake” and “Your Name” — you’re both winners this week! Since you were the first respondents to guess the two possible correct answers, you will receive a free copy of The Blue Pages: Second Edition. To everyone else, better luck next week!

Media Contact

Viveca Novak
(202) 354-0111
press@crp.org

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